The slim hopes that classy import Reliable Man could race in the Cox Plate have been dashed after a stud deal was officially finalised for the dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner today.

Reliable Man has been sold to New Zealand's Westbury Stud. Photo by: Steve Hart.

New Zealand’s Westbury Stud, owned by Gerry Harvey, have purchased the rising six-year-old to stand at the upcoming breeding season.

Trainer Chris Waller had Cox Plate ambitions for the entire who demonstrated an electric turn of foot in his second and final Australian start to defeat boom Kiwi colt It’s A Dundeel by 2 1/2 lengths in April’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

But in that same race, the son of Dalakhani suffered a serious tendon injury that led connections to seriously consider stud opportunities.

After the Queen Elizabeth victory Waller heaped praise on the soon-to-be stallion and indicated he would be one of his main spring contenders if he could return to racing.

“Welcome to A grade, this horse is a serious horse,” Waller said.

Despite his racing career being cut short, Reliable Man produced some outstanding performances and finished up with a record of five wins and three minor placings from 13 trips to the races.

While the Queen Elizabeth success was the obvious highlight in Australia, he also won at Group 1 level in France, taking out the Prix Du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly in 2011.

Reliable Man’s other major career milestone came when winning the 2011 Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp.

It is expected the powerful grey will arrive at Westbury’s Karaka property within the next two weeks.